Time For A Change, I Think

Now more than ever I find the hours I work to be incompatible with my life.

So I've mentioned to my manager that I'd like to go to the 4 - 1 shift (1600 - 0100) and work in the backroom doing inventory stuff. The main reason for this is because it would be much easier to balance work with my duties as a Future Sailor. DEP meetings and DEP mentoring are always at 1600, which is smack in the middle of my sleep time. Granted, DEP meetings are only once a month, and I've already fixed my schedule so that I have that day off every week, but it really sucks to have to get up, go to DEP mentoring, go back home, and try to get some more sleep before work.

Also, I find no satisfaction with my current position. Not saying I hate it, but I find it less rewarding than stocking. I go home feeling like I haven't really accomplished anything.

Manager said there'd be some openings soon, and that he'd keep me in mind. But then again, I've been told that before.

Apparently I Don't Need A Life

OMG. This summer is turning out to be quite craptastic. Few months ago I had bought tickets to see Volbeat up in Baltimore on the 19th. The time off request I had put in to do this had been approved and everything. However, I was willing to forgo the concert to see the Batman marathon the local theater was having leading up to the release of The Dark Knight Rises with my sister. So either way, big plans.


Well, I kinda screwed myself over with this. See, since DEP meetings are held at 4 p.m., I had to change my availability at work to have Tuesdays off, so, you know, I could go...because I have to be there. And so now I'm scheduled for the 19th. Which means no Batman marathon, and definitely no Volbeat show. Couple that with having to work me entire birthday weekend, when I had planned on taking my week's vacation (which got rejected!), and I've got myself one fantastic summer. Granted, I was able to move my vacation to the next weekend, but it's too bloody hot in August to do anything! Argh frustration! >:[

It's just like they say, when it rains, it pours.

Manager Does Not Equal RDC

It seems that certain members of management have decided that it's their job to "prepare" me for military life. By this I mean they're hen-pecking me more than usual, and then telling me I need to learn patience or else the RDC's at recruit training will "eat me alive" when I get fed up with it. One of the Customer Service Managers actually told me he was going to "get on my nerves" and "push me" once he found out what I'm doing with my life. I get the feeling that either they doubt me, or they're drinking some mad Haterade.

First off, I am human, and though I try to get a grip on my emotions (especially at work), sometimes my frustration shows itself. And it often comes in the form of sarcasm and cynicism, not because I'm a negative person, but because that is my personality. Being told that I have a negative attitude will only make it worse, because anyone who really knows me knows that that is utter bullshit, and I refuse to believe that the way I feel at any given moment is invalid or wrong. Do I act upon these negative emotions? No. Do I grumble and become slightly less cheery? Yes. I don't know anyone who works retail and can keep a nice, big smile on their face all day/night long. If they can, that's really creepy.

Second, since when was it your job as a retail manager to "prepare" me for recruit training? Last time I checked, that was my recruiter's job, and I don't think he needs any assistance in that area. After all, he's actually in the Navy, and you are not. You certainly did not prepare me for my position as a cashier, so why the hell would you bother to train me for anything else?! Maybe you think you're being helpful, but you're not. You're coming off as pompous and it irritates the crap out of me. Mind your business and do your job. I will worry about my Navy career, along with my recruiter.

Third, I do not expect nor demand special treatment, whether positive or negative, because I'm joining the military. The only thing I have asked for is to have Thanksgiving off, because I ship out in the beginning of December, I don't know when I'll be able to come back on leave, and deserve to spend that time with my family. I certainly did not ask to be, in my opinion, harassed or pushed harder than other associates. You expect me to continue to do my job during the time I have left with the company, so it only makes sense that you treat me as any other associate.


To the people who support me and are as excited about this as I am, I sincerely thank you, because it makes up for all this negativity. I love you all. To those who doubt me, I'm making a list, so that when I come back, I will ask you which one of my butt cheeks you'd like to kiss.

Figured It Out...Finally

So. I have enlisted in the Navy, and will be going active duty. I ship out for recruit training at Naval Station Great Lakes on Dec. 4. For anyone interested in following me along that journey, please head on over to Ships And Dip.


And just because, here's a random music video.

Tales From 4476

So, last night, I had my first ever encounter with a high customer. This lady had come in around midnight, and apparently shopped for nearly 4 hours. I was the only cashier scheduled (which naturally occurred because the regional VP is supposed to visit today), and my CSM (customer service manager) was on his lunch break. At 3:50 a.m., she decides she's ready to check out. At this time, I'm bust running what little freight we receive up front (batteries, lighters, candy, etc.). I see her approaching my register with her cart full of what looks like something from every department. About 80% of her cart was clothes, which made me cry inwardly because I hate ringing up clothing. So she plunks everything on the belt and tells me to let her know when the total reaches $100. I rang up her stuff, and alerted her that her total had reached $98.84. She went on babbling about asking me if I could do a credit charge with her driver's license, because she didn't have her credit card with her, claiming that Burger King had done it. It was at this time that I knew she was stoned out of her mind. I said, "No, but if you have the account number, expiration date, and security code written down somewhere, I can do it manually." She said she'd have to go to her car to get this information. So she left, and I waited for about 5 minutes before going outside to check the parking lot for her, and I didn't see her. This bitch straight up left a cart full of crap (including milk) behind and never came back. At first I was pretty pissed, because I knew I was going to have to put all that shit back, but luckily my CSM told me not to worry about it.


A few nights ago, I had the joy of dealing with a man who really fucking needed his batteries like OMG right now. Now, it's important that you know that, being a 24-hour store, the system that the registers operate on has to reset for the next days' sales at midnight. We can't begin ringing up until 12:01. Also, we have to reset the cash drawer, which basically involves putting the new bills and coins in there appropriate place. The process takes about 2 minutes. I was on register 5, and my co-worker was on 6. This dude started off in line at 6, with 4-5 other folks ahead of him. I had come back from my break and opened 5, and this dude rushed over to my line, where I then informed him of the fact that he'd have to wait a minute while the system reset itself. He huffed a sigh, then ran back over to 6. I was like, "Seriously, going to another line isn't gonna solve your problem." Our CSM sent my co-worker on her break, so she closed her register and left. Battery Dude runs back over to my line and says "You're determined to make me wait the whole 5 minutes, aren't you?" all distressed like. Dude it's midnight. What the hell could you possibly need your 9 volt batteries so bad for? Wait, maybe I don't want to know.

What I wanted to say: Yes sir, I quite enjoy watching you squirm in line like you're about to piss yourself. It's a vast conspiracy set forth by Home Office, and we associates gladly participate in such activities.

What I actually said: Sir, it was only going to take a minute.

And so I rang him up without further fanfare, fighting the urge to go off on him for getting an attitude with me for basically no reason whatsoever (also I was grumpy as this was my 6th night in a row working). After I cashed him out, he took his precious batteries and ran off, hopefully he heard my oh-so-sarcastic "Have a good night, SIR."


Dear Two Redneck Teenagers In Line: I do not care why you're guying condoms. I did not assume that you were a gay couple, nor would I care if you were. No, I am more concerned as why, along with your condoms, you are also buying duct tape. That is what concerns me.

For The Fallen

Another Sore Neck

As if seeing Rammstein last month wasn't amazing enough, the epic bunch of Swedes called Sabaton invaded RVA Saturday. BFF was originally supposed to go with me, but work fucked him over again (some guy quit and he had to go in), so I brought Brennon along, who I'm happy to report is now a fan. :)


Doors were supposed to open at 6:00, but we didn't get let in until about an hour later. Brennon repaid me for his ticket in alcohol, as we did a shot of Captain Morgan together, followed by a PBR (which in RVA is referred to "People's Brewery of Richmond"), which I felt was an even trade. It was a good thing, too, because I couldn't have suffered through the first opening band sober. To give you an indication of how much they sucked, their last song was "dedicated to sluts," and Brennon told me this band had also been opening for about 4 years now, playing the same set every time. The second band was better and basically did their job, which was to get us pumped for Sabaton.


And so Sabaton showed RVA an epic time, and we showed them how we roll. Vocalist Joakim Broden said after their opening song ("Ghost Division"), that he could hear us singing along over them playing. Can't get any better than that. They also played "40:1," "The Art Of War," "The Price Of A Mile," "Cliffs Of Gallipoli," "Swedish Pagans," and closed with "Primo Victoria." There were others, but those are the only ones I recognized, having not purchased their entire catalog like I have with Rammstein (which I will promptly rectify ASAP).

After the show, we hung around chatting with other fans, and Sabaton came out to mingle with us for a bit. Some guy that was with the band (probably their manager) handed out blank postcards of the band.

I got mine signed by all the members.

I was also fortunate enough to get a picture with Joakim Broden, not because of who he is, but because my phone's battery was about to die!

All in all an epic time. What was even more impressive though, and I give the band mad props for this, is that 3 months ago, they had a major line-up change. Only the singer and bassist are now the original members. But the new recruits learned the whole set they had played in 3 months' time. Bravo, gut gemacht!